Cryptographic manager tool system

ABSTRACT

A cryptographic manager tool for providing encrypted communication between an enterprise server and a plurality of industrial devices using messaging protocols for each industrial device, enabling the industrial devices to receive commands and transmit status and measurement data to the enterprise server in out of band encrypted and decrypted messaging, simultaneously, using the individual device messaging protocols over a network.

FIELD

The present embodiments generally relate to a cryptographic manager tool system.

BACKGROUND

A need exists for a cryptographic manager tool system that can provide encrypted in-band communication to industrial devices from an enterprise server while allowing out-of-band communication that can be encrypted for part of the transmission and decrypted for a portion of the transmission between the enterprise server and a hardware software product termed “physical cryptographic module,” which further communicates with the industrial device.

A need exists for a high security communication tool usable with a plurality of different networks simultaneously and/or consecutively, between an enterprise server and a plurality of industrial devices.

A need exists for a secure communication tool usable by an owner of an enterprise server for communicating with a plurality of industrial devices wherein the communication tool forms part of an auditable communication trail over many networks simultaneously. Owners of enterprise servers and industrial devices typically do not control the intervening networks, therefore, the secure, communication tool is desired.

A further need exists for a cryptographic manager tool that provides encryption security between an enterprise server and industrial devices that also provides measurement and control data, while the enterprise server configures and reconfigures online, continuously, with continual monitoring, without shutting off the industrial devices, the cryptographic manager tool, or the enterprise server.

The present embodiments meet these needs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description will be better understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows:

FIG. 1 depicts an overview of a cryptographic communication system.

FIG. 2 depicts a diagram of computer instructions in data storage of physical cryptographic modules usable with a cryptographic manager tool.

FIGS. 3A-3B depict a diagram of computer instructions in a data storage of a cryptographic manager tool that can reside in the data storage of an enterprise server or the data storage of a second server connected to a network.

FIG. 4 depicts a diagram of computer instructions in data storage of a virtual cryptographic module within a cryptographic manager tool according to an embodiment.

The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the tool in detail, it is to be understood that the tool is not limited to the particular embodiments and that they can be practiced or carried out in various ways.

The present embodiments relate to a cryptographic manager tool that can provide encryption security between an enterprise server and industrial devices with both in-band and out-of-band communications and allow the industrial devices to configure and reconfigure online, continuously, with continual monitoring without shutting off the industrial devices, the cryptographic manager tool, or the enterprise server.

Embodiments can provide a high security communication tool usable between an enterprise server and a plurality of industrial devices. The high security communication tool can be used with a plurality of different networks simultaneously and/or consecutively. Illustrative networks can include radio/cellular networks; worldwide networks, such as the internet; corporate networks; and local area control networks.

Embodiments can provide a secure communication tool usable by an owner or user of an enterprise server for communicating with a plurality of industrial devices wherein the communication tool forms part of an auditable communication trail over many networks consecutively and/or simultaneously. The cryptographic manager tool can allow owners and/or users of enterprise servers and industrial devices to have secure communication on networks that they do not control.

The cryptographic manager tool can facilitate the protection of the American economy's critical energy infrastructure and assist the American economy by preventing damage to communication between industrial devices, such as pipeline monitors, and the industrial devices owner's enterprise servers that assist in monitoring, configuring and reconfiguring the industrial devices online.

The present embodiments relate to a cryptographic communication system, which can provide encryption security between an enterprise server and industrial device while allowing configuration and reconfiguration online, continuously, with continual monitoring that provides updates, such as in less than 25 seconds, without shutting off industrial devices, a cryptographic manager tool, and/or an enterprise server.

The term “out-of-band for the enterprise server” as used herein can refer to bidirectional messaging from the enterprise server to components of the cryptographic communication system, which provides security between an enterprise server and industrial devices.

Out-of-band messaging can include commands for implementing diagnosis, testing, maintenance, and specific performance steps required for components of the cryptographic communication system. Out-of-band commands and messaging do not include commands on maintenance or performance for the industrial device to which the cryptographic communication system is connected. The out-of-band bidirectional messaging can be not only used for commands, but also for communication of historical logs that document performance of security measure, and for messaging information that specifically concerning the generation and distribution of cryptographic keys usable for validation, key exchanges, and communication sessions by the communication tool.

The term “in-band” as used herein can refer to bidirectional communication between an enterprise server and one or more connected industrial devices over a cryptographic communication system that includes the cryptographic manager tool, wherein the in-band communication is in the messaging protocol of each industrial device.

The term “out-of-band for the cryptographic manager tool” as used herein can refer to messaging from the cryptographic manager tool to a plurality of physical cryptographic modules of the cryptographic communication system.

The term “cryptographic messaging” can refer to both in-band and out-of-band messaging that includes telemetry, which is encrypted between the virtual cryptographic module of the cryptographic manager tool and one or more of the plurality of physical cryptographic modules connected on the network.

The term “cryptographic time outs” as used herein can refer to periods of time, known in the industry as “cryptographic periods,” which have been pre-established and stored in the cryptographic manager tool and include cryptographic manager tool settings that have been preset by a user based on best practice recommendations from cyber security authorities such as the US government's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and corporate security policies, for encrypting information from one or more of a plurality of industrial devices based on the type of industrial device and type of information being transmitted and/or received and the level of terrorism or hacking that the industrial device generally experiences.

The cryptographic manager tool can provide cryptographic keys. Conventionally, the generation of authentication keys or cryptographic keys has been time intensive for central processing units. The cost in performance must be balanced against the cost in security. Users have had to balance the time required to generate cryptographic keys (in minutes) against the need for cryptographic keys in communication.

The cryptographic manager tool can allow the user to choose between a more frequent cryptographic key generation and a less frequent cryptographic key generation depending on best practices, NIST standards, and/or corporate security policies.

The cryptographic manager tool can help the American economy stay operational in view of hacking attacks.

The cryptographic manager tool can allow keys to be generated for the critical information needed by the user and for other information as designed by the operator of the cryptographic manager tool which can allow a very fast but very secure encryption/decryption tool to operate between industrial devices and enterprise servers over a plurality of uncontrolled networks, simultaneously, sequentially, or combinations thereof.

The term “uncontrolled” as used herein can mean the network is not within the control of the owner of the enterprise server or the owner of one or more of the industrial devices. In some cases, the enterprise server owner can also be the industrial device owner. An uncontrolled network can be unsecured and/or unencrypted.

The cryptographic communication system can allow a user to decide how much time the system spends generating keys, in view of the cost of having greater or lesser security, by allowing the user to select cryptographic time outs.

The cryptographic manager tool provides an auditable cryptographic protected communication tool for connecting an enterprise server with a plurality of industrial devices, using the messaging protocol of each industrial device to receive commands and transmit status and measurement data over a network using communications that have been divided between in-band and out-of-band communications.

Turning now to the Figures, FIG. 1 depicts an auditable cryptographic protected communication system 10 for connecting to an enterprise server 12 and one or more industrial devices, such as first industrial device 18 a and second industrial device 18 b.

The enterprise server 12 can include an enterprise processor 14 and an enterprise data storage 16. The enterprise server 12 can be a cloud application.

The enterprise server 12 can communicate using in-band and out-of-band messages to one or more of a plurality of physical cryptographic modules, such as first physical cryptographic module 26 a and second physical cryptographic module 26 b. Each physical cryptographic modules 26 a and 26 b can communicate with one or more of the industrial devices 18 a and 18 b.

A first cryptographic manager tool 42 a can be located in the enterprise server 12. A second cryptographic manager tool 42 b can be located in a second server 45.

The second server 45 can include a second processor 46 and a second data storage 44.

The enterprise server 12 can transmit commands to the industrial devices 18 a and 18 b in the respective messaging protocols of the industrial devices 18 a and 18 b through the first cryptographic manager tool 42 a.

The industrial devices 18 a and 18 b can receive commands in unique messaging protocols. The first industrial device 18 a can have a first messaging protocol, and the second industrial device 18 b can have a second messaging protocol. The industrial devices 18 a and 18 b can transmit status and measurement data in unique messaging protocols over one or more networks 22. The network 22 can be a combination of dissimilar networks, a combination of similar networks, or combinations thereof. The network 22 can be an uncontrolled network.

The auditable cryptographic protected communication system 10 can include a first security enclosure 104 a. The first security enclosure 104 a can house the first physical cryptographic module 26 a located therein. The first physical cryptographic module 26 a can have a first input/output port 108 a. The first input/output port 108 a can be in communication with the first industrial device 18 a and a first tamper detection means 106 a.

The auditable cryptographic protected communication system 10 can include a second security enclosure 104 b. The second security enclosure 104 b can house the second physical cryptographic module 26 b located therein. The second physical cryptographic module 26 b can have a second input/output port 108 b. The second input/output port 108 b can be in communication with the second industrial device 18 b and a second tamper detection means 106 b.

The physical cryptographic modules 26 a and 26 b can communicate with the second server 45, the enterprise server 12, or combinations thereof. The physical cryptographic modules 26 a and 26 b can provide a communication path allowing for the industrial devices 18 a and 18 b to communicate through in-band and/or out-of-band messages with the second server 45, the enterprise server 12, or combinations thereof.

The cryptographic manager tools 42 a and 42 b can each handle up to 2,000 industrial devices simultaneously.

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic of the first physical cryptographic module 26 a.

The first physical cryptographic module 26 a can include a first physical cryptographic module processor 28 a and a first physical cryptographic module data storage 30 a.

The first physical cryptographic module data storage 30 a can contain computer instructions to receive in-band plain text status and measurement data in the messaging protocol of the industrial device, in communication therewith 32 to which the first physical cryptographic module 26 a is connected. For example, an in-band plain text message from the first physical cryptographic module to the industrial device can be a command to send status and measurement data.

The first physical cryptographic module data storage 30 a can also contain computer instructions to transmit in-band decrypted commands to the industrial device, in communication therewith 34. An example of an in-band decrypted command to the industrial device which is decrypted by the first physical cryptographic module can be a command that opens a certain valve.

The first physical cryptographic module data storage 30 a can contain computer instructions for providing encrypted messaging both in-band and out-of-band from the industrial device, in communication therewith, using the messaging protocol of the industrial device 36.

The physical cryptographic module data storage 30 a can contain computer instructions to generate cryptographic keys 40. The cryptographic keys can be used to create digital signatures in authentication certificates; cryptographic key exchanges; and cryptographic communication sessions between the plurality of virtual cryptographic modules and the plurality of physical cryptographic modules without human intervention, allowing online encryption and decryption of plain text commands, status and measurement data, messages, log information, and alarm messages without turning off any operating industrial devices, and without turning off the enterprise server while creating an auditable communication pathway from the enterprise server to operating industrial devices. An example of a cryptographic key can be a public key to decrypt a digital signature on an authentication certificate.

FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B depict a schematic of an enterprise server 12.

The enterprise server 12 can include the enterprise processor 14 and the enterprise data storage 16. The enterprise server 12 can also include the first cryptographic manager tool 42 a.

The first cryptographic manager tool 42 a can include a plurality of virtual cryptographic modules, shown here as first virtual cryptographic module 50 a, second virtual cryptographic module 50 b, and their virtual cryptographic module 50 c.

The first cryptographic manager tool 42 a can include computer instructions to monitor, configure and reconfigure online and on demand, continuously, a plurality of cryptographic pipes simultaneously 80.

The term “cryptographic pipe” as used herein can refer to a virtual pipe connecting the physical cryptographic module to the enterprise server and can refer to software programs with unique computer instructions and combinations thereof.

The first cryptographic manager tool 42 a can include computer instructions to monitor, configure, and reconfigure online and on demand, continuously, a plurality of physical cryptographic modules simultaneously 82.

The first cryptographic manager tool 42 a can include computer instructions to monitor, configure, and reconfigure online and on demand, continuously, a plurality of virtual cryptographic modules simultaneously 84.

The first cryptographic manager tool 42 a can include computer instructions to generate cryptographic keys for: digital signatures in authentication certificates, cryptographic key exchanges, and cryptographic communication sessions between a plurality of virtual cryptographic modules and a plurality of physical cryptographic modules, without human intervention, allowing online encryption and decryption of plain text commands, status and measurement data, messages, log information, and alarm messages without turning off any operating industrial devices, and without turning off the enterprise server and while creating an auditable communication pathway from the enterprise server to operating industrial devices 86.

The first cryptographic manager tool 42 a can include computer instructions to transmit plain text setting information through the cryptographic pipes 88.

The first cryptographic manager tool can include computer instructions to receive plain text setting information from the cryptographic pipes 90.

The first cryptographic manager tool 42 a can include a library of virtual cryptographic module settings 92. The library of virtual cryptographic module settings 92 can include, but is not limited to: a pipe local IP address, a pipe time out, a pipe remote IP address, a pipe buffer size, a pipe listen IP address, a local port, a remote port, a pipe protocol, a pipe auto-enable, and multiples or combinations thereof.

The first cryptographic manager tool 42 a can include a library of physical cryptographic module settings 94. The library of physical cryptographic module settings can include, but are not limited to: a tag; a mac address; a lock status, such as a memory lock; a host port; a device port; and combinations of these settings. The host port can be an RS232 port, an RS485 port, an RS422 port, an Ethernet port, a TCPIP port, a mesh radio network, and combinations thereof. The device port can have the same kinds of ports as the host port.

The library of physical cryptographic module settings 94 can also include, but is not limited to: a closed connection time out, inter-character time outs, a graphic user ID (GUID), a date created, a date last synched, a number of synchronization, a serial number, a status flag, a status string, notes, and combinations thereof.

The first cryptographic manager tool 42 a can include computer instructions to schedule generation of cryptographic keys by the virtual cryptographic module, the physical cryptographic module, or combinations thereof, using cryptographic time outs 96.

The first cryptographic manager tool 42 a can include one or more cryptographic pipes, shown here as first cryptographic pipe 98 a, second cryptographic pipe 98 b, and third cryptographic pipe 98 c. The cryptographic pipes 98 a, 98 b, and 98 c can communicate with one or more of the virtual cryptographic modules 50 a, 50 b, and 50 c.

The first cryptographic pipe 98 a can include computer instructions to provide encrypted messaging both in-band and out-of-band from the cryptographic manager tool to the physical cryptographic modules using messaging protocols of each industrial device 100 a.

The first cryptographic pipe 98 a can also include computer instructions to provide decrypted messaging both in-band and out-of-band, from the physical cryptographic modules to the cryptographic manager tool 102 a.

The second cryptographic pipe 98 b can include computer instructions to provide encrypted messaging both in-band and out-of-band from the cryptographic manager tool to the physical cryptographic modules using messaging protocols of each industrial device 100 b.

The cryptographic pipe 98 b can also include computer instructions to provide decrypted messaging both in-band and out-of-band, from the physical cryptographic modules to the cryptographic manager tool 102 b.

The third cryptographic pipe 98 c can include computer instructions to provide encrypted messaging both in-band and out-of-band from the cryptographic manager tool to the physical cryptographic modules using messaging protocols of each industrial device 100 c.

The cryptographic pipe 98 c can also include computer instructions to provide decrypted messaging both in-band and out-of-band, from the physical cryptographic modules to the cryptographic manager tool 102 c.

The enterprise server 12 can include a library of cryptographic module protocols 110.

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic of a virtual cryptographic module contained within the cryptographic manager tool.

The first virtual cryptographic module 50 a can have computer instructions to receive plain text commands from the enterprise server to start the virtual cryptographic modules and provide routine commands to the virtual cryptographic modules during operation 52.

The first virtual cryptographic module 50 a can have computer instructions to receive plain text setting commands from the cryptographic manager tool 54.

The first virtual cryptographic module 50 a can have computer instructions to send plain text setting information to the cryptographic manager tool 56.

The first virtual cryptographic module 50 a can have computer instructions to transmit in-band plain text commands during start up to the physical cryptographic module 58.

The first virtual cryptographic module 50 a can have computer instructions to transmit out-of-band plain text commands during start up to the physical cryptographic module 60.

The first virtual cryptographic module 50 a can have computer instructions to receive in-band plain text and status and measurement data from the physical cryptographic module during start up 62.

The first virtual cryptographic module 50 a can have computer instructions to receive out-of-band plain text messages from the physical cryptographic module during startup 64, which can include performance data.

The first virtual cryptographic module 50 a can have computer instructions to collect out-of-band encrypted log information with status and measurement data from the physical cryptographic module 66. In embodiments, the log information can be performance information and information that indicates a breach of security.

The first virtual cryptographic module 50 a can have computer instructions to receive out-of-band alarm messages from the physical cryptographic module 68.

The first virtual cryptographic module 50 a can have computer instructions to transmit out-of-band encrypted commands to the physical cryptographic module 70.

The first virtual cryptographic module 50 a can have computer instructions to receive in-band encrypted status and measurement data from the physical cryptographic module 72.

The first virtual cryptographic module 50 a can have computer instructions to transmit in-band encrypted commands to the physical cryptographic module 74.

The first virtual cryptographic module 50 a can have computer instructions to transmit encrypted collected log information to the enterprise server 76.

The first virtual cryptographic module 50 a can have computer instructions to transmit decrypted status and measurement data in the messaging protocol of the industrial device from the industrial device to the enterprise server 78.

While these embodiments have been described with emphasis on the embodiments, it should be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the embodiments might be practiced other than as specifically described herein. 

1. A cryptographic manager tool system that configures and maintains an auditable cryptographic communication system over a network for a plurality of industrial devices each having messaging protocols, wherein the cryptographic manager tool system comprises: a. a server with a processor in communication with data storage having a plurality of input/output ports for communication with an industrial device; b. a plurality of virtual cryptographic modules in the data storage, wherein each virtual cryptographic module comprises: (i) computer instructions to receive plain text commands from the enterprise server to start at least one virtual cryptographic module of the plurality of virtual cryptographic modules and provide routine commands to the at least one virtual cryptographic module during operation; (ii) computer instructions to receive plain text setting commands from the cryptographic manager tool; (iii) computer instructions to transmit plain text setting information to the cryptographic manager tool; (iv) computer instructions to transmit in-band plain text commands during start up to a physical cryptographic module; (v) computer instructions to transmit out-of-band plain text commands during start up to the physical cryptographic module; (vi) computer instructions to receive in-band plain text and status and measurement data from the physical cryptographic module during start up; (vii) computer instructions to receive out-of-band plain text messages from the physical cryptographic module during start up; (viii) computer instructions to receive out-of-band encrypted log information with status and measurement data from the physical cryptographic module; (ix) computer instructions to receive out-of-band alarm messages from the physical cryptographic module; (x) computer instructions to transmit out-of-band encrypted commands to the physical cryptographic module; (xi) computer instructions to receive in-band encrypted status and measurement data from the physical cryptographic module; (xii) computer instructions to transmit in-band encrypted commands to the physical cryptographic module; (xiii) computer instructions to transmit encrypted collected log information to the enterprise server; (xiv) computer instructions to transmit decrypted status and measurement data in the messaging protocol of the industrial device from the industrial device to the enterprise server; (xv) computer instructions to monitor, configure and reconfigure online and on demand, continuously, the plurality of cryptographic pipes simultaneously; (xvi) computer instructions to monitor, configure, reconfigure online and on demand, continuously, the plurality of physical cryptographic modules, simultaneously; (xvii) computer instructions to monitor, configure, reconfigure online and on demand, continuously, the plurality of virtual cryptographic modules simultaneously; (xviii) computer instructions to generate cryptographic keys for:
 1. digital signatures in authentication certificates;
 2. cryptographic key exchange; and
 3. cryptographic communication sessions between the plurality of virtual cryptographic modules and the plurality of physical cryptographic modules, without human intervention, allowing online encryption and decryption of plain text commands, status and measurement data, messages, log information, and alarm messages without turning off any operating industrial devices, and without turning off the enterprise server and while creating an auditable communication pathway from the enterprise server to operating industrial devices; (xix) computer instructions to transmit plain text setting information to the cryptographic pipes; (xx) computer instructions to receive plain text setting information from at least one cryptographic pipe of the plurality of cryptographic pipes; (xxi) a library of virtual cryptographic module settings; (xxii) a library of physical cryptographic module settings; (xxiii) computer instructions to schedule generation of cryptographic keys by the virtual cryptographic module, by the physical cryptographic module, or combinations thereof, using cryptographic time outs; and c. wherein each cryptographic pipe of the plurality of cryptographic pipes communicates with one of the virtual cryptographic modules, enabling each industrial device to receive encrypted commands and transmit encrypted status and measurement data to the enterprise server using each industrial device messaging protocol.
 2. The cryptographic manager tool of claim 1, wherein the library of virtual cryptographic module settings includes a member of the group consisting of: a pipe local IP address, pipe time outs; a pipe remote IP address; a pipe buffer size; a pipe listen IP address; a local port; a remote port; a pipe protocol, a pipe auto-enable, and combinations thereof.
 3. The cryptographic manager tool of claim 1, wherein the library of physical cryptographic module settings includes a member of the group consisting of: a tag, a mac address, a lock status, a host port, a device port, closed connection time outs, inter-character time outs, a graphic user ID (GUID), a date created, a date last synched, number of synchronization, a serial number, a status flag, a status string, notes, and combinations thereof.
 4. The cryptographic manager tool of claim 3, wherein the host port is an RS232 port, an RS485 port, an RS422 port, an Ethernet port, a TCPIP port, or a mesh radio network.
 5. The cryptographic manager tool of claim 3, wherein the device port is an RS232 port, an RS485 port, an RS422 port, an Ethernet port, a TCPIP port, or a mesh radio network.
 6. The cryptographic manager tool of claim 1, wherein each cryptographic pipe comprises: a. computer instructions to provide encrypted messaging both in-band and out-of-band from the cryptographic manager tool to the physical cryptographic modules using messaging protocols of each industrial device; and b. computer instructions to provide decrypted messaging both in-band and out-of-band, from the physical cryptographic modules using messaging protocol to the cryptographic manager tool.
 7. The cryptographic manager tool of claim 1, wherein the out-of-band encrypted log information with status and measurement data from the physical cryptographic module comprises performance information and information that can indicate a breach of security simultaneously.
 8. The cryptographic manager tool of claim 1, wherein the cryptographic manager tool communicates with a plurality of physical cryptographic modules over a plurality of different networks simultaneously, consecutively, or combinations thereof.
 9. The cryptographic manager tool of claim 8, wherein the plurality of different networks simultaneously, consecutively, or combinations thereof comprise a member of the group consisting of: a radio/cellular network, a world-wide network, a corporate network, a local area control network.
 10. The cryptographic manager tool of claim 1, wherein the cryptographic manager tool communicates to the physical cryptographic module disposed between the enterprise server and each industrial device for communicating in-band messages to each industrial device using the messaging protocol of each industrial device and wherein the physical cryptographic module comprises: a. a physical cryptographic module processor; b. a physical cryptographic module data storage in communication with the physical cryptographic module processor, wherein the physical cryptographic module data storage comprises: (i) computer instructions to receive in-band plain text status and measurement data in the messaging protocol of the industrial device in communication therewith; (ii) computer instructions to transmit in-band decrypted commands to the industrial device, in communication therewith; (iii) computer instructions for providing encrypted messaging both in-band and out-of-band from the industrial device, in communication therewith, using the messaging protocol of the industrial device; (iv) computer instructions to generate cryptographic keys for:
 1. digital signatures in authentication certificates;
 2. cryptographic key exchanges; and
 3. cryptographic communication sessions between the plurality of physical cryptographic modules and a cryptographic manager tool without human intervention, allowing online encryption and decryption of plain text commands, status and measurement data, messages, log information, and alarm messages, without turning off any operating industrial devices, and without turning off the enterprise server and while creating an auditable communication pathway from enterprise server to operating industrial devices.
 11. The cryptographic manager tool of claim 1, wherein the cryptographic manager tool resides in a data storage of the enterprise server or a second server on the network. 